Apprentice Panel Technician

Summary

Do you have a passion for cars and want to kick start an automotive career? Then this is the perfect role for you! As a Vehicle Damage Panel Technician, you will work within the Repair workshop to remove and replace body panels. The vehicles you will be working on are cars and light commercial.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Thursday, 08:30 - 17:00 and Friday, 08:30 - 16:00. 30 lunch.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 27 May 2025

Duration

3 years

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

This is an excellent opportunity to work as part of a highly skilled team that is committed to quality. You will train to become a qualified Vehicle Damage Panel Technician; the successful candidate can expect a high-quality training package with excellent career prospects.

You will work independently and as part of a team following a defined process, using the skills to correctly identify the different body panel types and have the ability to use the correct repair tools to carry out the work to the highest possible standard.

You will receive training and support throughout your qualification the successful candidate will learn to remove, repair and replace vehicle body panels and components of the vehicle safely and efficiently, using a variety of body repair panel tools, equipment and devices.

Duties to include:

Assessing a vehicle to establish the extent of damage
Based on the initial assessment, deciding whether to repair or replace bodywork
Removing damaged panels
Refitting new/repaired panels
Repairing damaged bodywork using traditional dolly and hammer or more modern techniques
Repairing small dents, holes or corroded areas using a compound filler

A certain amount of administration and customer interaction is also required:

Keeping a record of work carried out and time taken
Liaising with the customer or insurance company
Providing quotations and estimations

Where you’ll work

31B LINK ROAD
WEST WILTS TRADING ESTATE
WESTBURY
BA13 4JB

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

S & B AUTOMOTIVE ACADEMY LIMITED

Your training course

Vehicle damage panel technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Ability to undertake appropriate job preparation prior to commencing repair, including safety precautions, panel preparation and body measurements.
Ability to identify the material used in the construction to enable the correct joining techniques and manufacturer specifications to be adhered to.
Ability to interpret relevant technical data and methods to make sure that any joints are in line with vehicle manufacturer specification and the vehicle/body panels are aligned correctly
Ability to identify and understand the correct joining technology, e.g. when to use resistance spot welding or mig brazing or bonding.
Ability to remove, repair and replace vehicle body panels and components of the vehicle safely and efficiently
Ability to identify and operate the correct repair tools, equipment and devices used in the process, panel pulling systems, jig and alignment tools, spot welders, brazing tools.
Ability to identify and communicate supplementary damage such as panels that were deemed to be reparable but once worked on were found to be beyond repair along with damage that could not be established on original inspection.
Ability to detect and rectify faults within a vehicles structure that’s integral to its safety

Your training plan

Level 3 Vehicle Damage Panel Technician Apprenticeship Standard
Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if a GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent has not already been achieved)
The apprenticeship training is delivered via weekly block releases at S&B throughout a year, learning will also take place in the workplace and a S&B Development Coach and Workplace Mentor are allocated to support and monitor your progress to help you reach your goals and manage your workload
Your employer will pay you when you are attending weekly training blocks at S&B

More training information

S&B Automotive Academy is a specialist apprenticeship training provider located in Bedminster, Bristol. Whether you're seeking to kickstart your career in the automotive industry or business industry, S&B Automotive Academy is your go-to partner for excellence in training
S&B has been training apprentices since the 1970’s and are one of the largest training providers in the Automotive and Business sector. We pride ourselves on our collaboration with a wide range of employers
To be considered for this apprenticeship you must have GCSEs, Functional Skills or Key Skills at grade C/4 or above in English and maths (or equivalent), If your grades are below this, we will discuss your options for taking functional skills in maths and/or English
As well as this, predicated grades are accepted, and work experience or knowledge is beneficial but not essential

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

The competition for apprenticeship placements is strong so please ensure your application is tailored to the type of apprenticeship you are applying for, pay attention to presentation, spelling and grammar and include any relevant experience, hobbies/interests, or qualifications.

About this company

We’re more than just a business, we’re a community built on dedication, passion and expertise. Many of our team members have been with us from the very beginning and their knowledge and commitment have been integral to our success. As we look to the future, we’re proud to offer a supportive, inclusive and dynamic work environment where every employee can thrive. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there’s a place for you here. We believe in nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals. Our apprenticeship program offers hands-on training across several key areas, including paint shop, electrical installation, welding and office administration. With expert mentorship and practical experience, our apprenticeships are designed to set you on a successful career path in vehicle engineering and design.

https://www.spectracoachbuilding.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

As a company we are committed to providing development and training opportunities to our employees
This apprenticeship is the grounding for your future development and there are lots of opportunities to develop your career within our company

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

S & B AUTOMOTIVE ACADEMY LIMITED

David Watts

dwatts@sandbaa.com

07852344136

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000316303.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 26 May 2025

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

Cookies on Find an apprenticeship

Contents